VIDEO: UH’s 2012 “Regent Scholars” include an aspiring MD

The 2012 University of Hawaiʻi Regent Scholars and Presidential Scholars have big plans.

Presidential Scholar and UH Mānoa student Tyler Blair says he will first complete his bachelor of science degree in chemistry. “I plan on continuing on to getting my PhD in chemistry and possibly becoming a professor,” said Blair.

“I’m going to be majoring in Hawaiian studies and also doubling in psychology probably,” said Regents Scholar Britny Ching, who just graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy.

Presidential Scholar and UH Mānoa student Dane Kurohara plans to go to premed. “And go to medical school one day and hopefully become a doctor,” said Kurohara. “Then I’ll come home to Hawaiʻi and move back to Maui,” said Kurohara.

The scholarship program is an effort to keep state’s best and brightest in Hawaiʻi. More than 300 students submitted applications and the 30 who were selected were recently honored at an awards banquet.

The 20 Regents Scholars are incoming freshman who just graduated from Hawaiʻi high schools. To apply, they had to have a minimum 1950 on all three sections of their SATs, a 3.5 grade-point-average and an impressive list of extracurricular activities. Each will receive a full tuition scholarship for four years, $4,000 a year and a one-time $2,000 travel grant.

Waiākea graduate and 2012 Regents Scholar Lauren Hill plans on majoring in chemistry. “It’s a really great honor to have been selected,” said Hill. “It means that I get to go to UH Mānoa, which I consider to be a really good school and get a good education for an affordable rate for my family.”

The Presidential Scholarships are awarded to 10 incoming college juniors in the UH system with a 3.7 grade-point-average and a record of substantial academic progress and superior achievement.

“I remember having to take my first loan this past year and to have that financial stability over the next two years, it means a ton to both me and my family,” said Blair.

The fact these students are in the UH system means a great deal to the university, according to UH President M.R.C. Greenwood.

“These Regents Scholars and Presidential Scholars are among the best students we have here in Hawaiʻi,” said Greenwood. “We want them to have a great experience here at the University of Hawaiʻi and we want them to stay here in Hawaiʻi and contribute to our growth and development.”

The UH Regents and Presidential scholarship program is in it’s 25th year.